Turbine wheel

Abstract

A wind driven energy source is providing integrated a series of radially extending masts from a central hub. The masts are supported by a series of cables. A mast-to-mast tension cable spans between distal ends of adjacent masts. A mast-to-axle tension cable spans between the distal end of each mast and each axial end of the central hub. A turbine blade is supported by each mast. The turbine blades can be of a rigid or pliant material. An angle of incidence of the rigid blades can be adjusted by rotating the mast. An angle of incidence of the pliant blades can be adjusted by applying tension to a blade control cable. Pliant blades can be retracted into the mast via a retracting mechanism to reduce the exposed surface area when subjected to excessive wind speeds.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A turbine wheel, comprising:
 a central hub assembly comprising a central hub rotationally engaging with a pair of support members, each support member provided at each respective end of the central hub, wherein the central hub rotates about a central axis; 
 at least three masts spatially arranged about a perimeter of the central hub, each mast extending radially from a central section of the central hub; 
 a plurality of turbine blades, each of said plurality of turbine blades attached to a respective mast of said at least three masts; 
 a plurality of mast-to-mast tension cables, each mast to mast tension cable spanning between distal end of each pair of adjacent masts, the plurality of mast to mast tension cables forming a complete perimeter about the turbine wheel; 
 a series of pairs of mast-to-axle tension cables, the first mast-to-axle tension cable spanning between the distal end of each mast and one rotational end of the central hub, the second mast-to-axle tension cable spanning between the distal end of each mast and a second, opposite rotational end of the central hub; 
 a tether cable extending from a free end of each turbine blade to one rotational end of said central hub, wherein said tether cable has an adjustable length, wherein a change in said tether cable length affects an angle of incidence of said respective turbine blade; and 
 a power converter engaging with the central hub, wherein a power output is generated by a rotational motion of the central hub. 
 
     
     
       2. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the turbine blades are fabricated of a rigid material. 
     
     
       3. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 2 , the masts further comprising a rotational interface for the masts to optimize an angle of incidence of the rigid turbine blades. 
     
     
       4. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the turbine blades are fabricated of a pliant material. 
     
     
       5. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising a retracting mechanism for retracting the pliant turbine blade into the mast. 
     
     
       6. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power generator is located within an interior of the central hub, the power generator having one portion rotationally engaging with the central hub and a second portion fixed to a stationary member. 
     
     
       7. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mast is formed having an aerodynamic cross sectional shape. 
     
     
       8. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each blade has a triangular shaped, wherein the shape is bound between the respective mast and the mast-to-mast tension cable. 
     
     
       9. A turbine wheel, comprising:
 a central hub assembly comprising a central hub rotationally engaging with a pair of support members, each support member provided at each respective end of the central hub, wherein the central hub rotates about a central axis; 
 at least three masts spatially arranged about a perimeter of the central hub, each mast extending radially from a central section of the central hub; 
 a plurality of turbine blades, each of said plurality of turbine blades attached to a respective mast of said at least three masts; 
 a plurality of mast-to-mast tension cables, each mast to mast tension cable spanning between distal end of each pair of adjacent masts, the plurality of mast to mast tension cables forming a complete perimeter about the turbine wheel; 
 a series of pairs of mast-to-axle tension cables, the first mast-to-axle tension cable spanning between the distal end of each mast and one rotational end of the central hub, the second mast-to-axle tension cable spanning between the distal end of each mast and a second, opposite rotational end of the central hub; 
 a tether cable extending from a free end of each turbine blade to one rotational end of said central hub, wherein said tether cable has an adjustable length, wherein a change in said tether cable length affects an angle of incidence of said respective turbine blade; and 
 an electrical power generator engaging with the central hub, wherein an electrical power output is generated by a rotational motion of the central hub. 
 
     
     
       10. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the turbine blades are fabricated of a rigid material. 
     
     
       11. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 10 , the masts further comprising a rotational interface for the masts to optimize an angle of incidence of the rigid turbine blades. 
     
     
       12. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the turbine blades are fabricated of a pliant material. 
     
     
       13. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising a retracting mechanism for retracting the pliant turbine blade into the mast. 
     
     
       14. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the power generator is located within an interior of the central hub, the power generator having one portion rotationally engaging with the central hub and a second portion fixed to a stationary member. 
     
     
       15. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each blade has a triangular shaped, wherein the shape is bound between the respective mast and the mast-to-mast tension cable. 
     
     
       16. A turbine wheel, comprising:
 a central hub assembly comprising a central hub rotationally engaging with a pair of support members, the support member provided at each respective end of the central hub, wherein the central hub rotates about a central axis; 
 at least three masts spatially arranged about a perimeter of the central hub, each mast extending radially from a central section of the central hub, the at least three masts having an aerodynamic cross sectional shape; 
 a plurality of turbine blades, each of said plurality of turbine blades attached to a respective mast of said at least three masts; 
 a plurality of mast-to-mast tension cables, each mast to mast tension cable spanning between distal end of each pair of adjacent masts, the plurality of mast to mast tension cables forming a complete perimeter about the turbine wheel; 
 a series of pairs of mast-to-axle tension cables, the first mast-to-axle tension cable spanning between the distal end of each mast and one rotational end of the central hub, the second mast-to-axle tension cable spanning between the distal end of each mast and a second, opposite rotational end of the central hub; 
 a tether cable extending from a free end of each turbine blade to one rotational end of said central hub, wherein said tether cable has an adjustable length, wherein a change in said tether cable length affects an angle of incidence of said respective turbine blade; and 
 an electrical power generator engaging with the central hub, wherein an electrical power output is generated by a rotational motion of the central hub. 
 
     
     
       17. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the turbine blades are fabricated of a rigid material. 
     
     
       18. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 17 , the masts further comprising a rotational interface for the masts to optimize an angle of incidence of the rigid turbine blades. 
     
     
       19. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the turbine blades are fabricated of a pliant material. 
     
     
       20. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising a retracting mechanism for retracting the pliant turbine blade into the mast. 
     
     
       21. A turbine wheel as recited in  claim 16 , wherein each blade has a triangular shaped, wherein the shape is bound between the respective mast and the mast-to-mast tension cable.